2013-2014 Grant Allocations

United Way of Central Florida has completed its allocation process for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, and final program funding has been approved. Programs in Polk and Hardee counties will receive $5,692,762, with an additional $309,168 going to programs in Highlands County.

For the past seven years, United Ways across the country, including United Way of Central Florida, have been moving from the old model of a fundraising organization to a new measurable impact model. That change means that funding decisions are based on whether or not a program succeeds in creating the lasting, meaningful change that we want in our community.

Our programs fall into four categories: Education, Income, Health, and Safety Net. Programs were evaluated by community volunteers and area experts based on their ability to meet community needs and their alignment with UWCF criteria in those four areas. More than 140 individual UWCF volunteers worked on 15 teams to determine whether a program produced quantifiable results and/or proved a substantial need for a service. Significant increases in funding were given to programs that showed the greatest impact for the dollars spent, or for those that provided a needed service in an underserved geographic area. Final approval of the recommendations was made by the UWCF Board of Directors at the June meeting.

Education programs received the largest percentage of the allocations, with Health, Income, and Safety Net programs following in respective order. Most programs received the same funding as last year or an increase. Two new programs were also funded: a request for proposals to provide Electronic Medical Records to one or more free health clinics, and funding of a position to manage a financial education program through Florida Prosperity Partnership.

For more information about United Way of Central Florida, the allocation process, or the programs funded through the allocation process, please contact Penny Borgia, Chief Operating Officer, Community Impact, at 863-648-1500 x275 or penny.borgia@uwcf.org.